Man Arrested In Deaths of 2 People Found in Barrels

Authorities in South Carolina have arrested a man on murder charges after two bodies were found stuffed into barrels and discarded in a lake.

John Michael Young, 35, was taken into custody shortly after midnight today by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office on two counts of murder. On Friday, investigators searched his home, taking away chainsaws and machetes.

The victims were identified as Tony McGinnis, 52, and Andrea Mitchell, 37, who deputies believe were killed in September and October, respectively.

“We believe he targeted these victims for a reason,” Chad McBride, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, told the Associated Press. “I don’t necessarily believe he’s out there targeting people for a random reason.”

Deputies said Young delivered fatal blows to his victims’ heads while in the woods near his home.

The first body, Mitchell’s, was stuffed into a metal barrel and recovered on Wednesday. Investigators found another metal barrel with McGinnis’ body inside on Thursday.

A second man, Shaine David Fischer, has also been implicated in the case as an accessory after the fact to murder.

According to arrest warrants obtained by The Associated Press, Fischer allegedly admitted to helping Young dispose of the bodies.